Flatten the receipt, use a dark background and soft light, capture the entire slip with an iPhone scanner, verify the total and date, then save it as a PDF with a useful filename.
Step-by-step instructions
Flatten the receipt
Smooth curls and creases. Place the receipt on a dark, matte surface so its pale edges are easy to detect.
Avoid glare
Use indirect light and turn off flash if the thermal paper reflects it.
Capture the whole slip
Include the merchant name, date, item lines, tax, total, and payment reference when present.
Correct the crop
Make sure narrow edges and the bottom of a long receipt were not removed.
Check important numbers
Zoom in and confirm that dates, totals, and transaction references are readable.
Save and organize
Export as PDF and name it with the date, merchant, and purpose, such as 2026-09-18-office-supplies.pdf.
Tips for a better result
- Scan thermal receipts soon because the print can fade.
- Do not place sensitive payment details in a public or shared folder.
- Use OCR to copy totals, but verify every extracted number against the image.
Use PDF Scanner on iPhone or iPad
The app combines this workflow with scanning, OCR, conversion, page tools, compression, and signing. Feature names and screen labels can change between versions.
View on the App StoreFrequently asked questions
Can OCR read a receipt total?
OCR can extract printed text, but small fonts, wrinkles, or faded thermal paper may cause mistakes. Always verify financial figures visually.
Can multiple receipts go in one PDF?
Yes. Scan them as separate pages and export the group as one PDF when they belong to the same report or period.
What filename works well for a receipt?
A date-first name such as YYYY-MM-DD-merchant-purpose.pdf sorts cleanly and remains understandable later.